Gruta de las Maravillas

Travel to the charming village of Aracena from Seville and visit the biosphere reserve of Dehesas de Sierra Morena. Discover an area so unique that Nasa has a base to study it on this day trip to the Rio Tinto mining area.  Hop aboard an air-conditioned vehicle and relax on the drive to the biosphere reserve of Dehesas de Sierra Morena. The reserve offers you the chance to see some of the bulls and Iberian pigs which inhabit the area.  Explore the Rio Tinto, an area that has been exploited for copper, silver, and gold for over 2000 years. See how this activity has changed the landscape of this area so much that it now resembles Mars.  Uncover how the main river here runs through old mining fields, transporting metallic minerals which turn the river into a reddish color when it combines with its mildly acidic waters, making life in the river nearly impossible. Head to Sierra de Aracena an area full of small towns located in the middle of Sierra Morena. This is the capital city of the Natural Park Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche. Aracena has trails through its Dehesas which are full of cork trees, oaks, and free-roaming Iberian pigs. Visit the Grutas de las Maravillas, a natural cave almost 2000 meters long, full of stalactites and stalagmites formed by the water running in the limestone. Stroll through the cave and marvel at the fascinating rock formations and deep blue water. Next, take in views of the rural Mosque of Almonaster la Real.